Kyle Nicolas traded to Pittsburgh Pirates in deal that sent Gold Glove catcher Jacob Stallings to Miami Marlins

MIAMI — Kyle Nicolas, a Jackson High School graduate, was traded earlier this week to the Pittsburgh Pirates from the Miami Marlin where he was one of their top pitching prospects. He was part of the deal that sent Gold Glove catcher Jacob Stallings from the Pirates to the Marlins.

The Marlins also sent pitcher Zach Thompson and another prospect, Connor Scott, to the Pirates on Monday in exchange for Stallings.

Pittsburgh is in the middle of a franchise-wide reboot focused on hoarding as many prospects as possible. Nicolas and Scott, both 22, fit that mold.

Nicolas, a right-handed pitcher, made 21 appearances between Class A and Double-A in 2021 and struck out 136 batters, the most among players in Miami's minor-league system. He was second-round pick by the Marlins in 2020.

Nicolas starred in college at Ball State after being a multi-sport standout at Jackson. He helped the Polar Bears win state championships in baseball and basketball.

Scott, an outfielder, hit .276 with 25 doubles and 10 home runs in 2021 while playing for Class-A Beloit.

Thompson, originally drafted by the Pirates in the 48th round of the 2011 draft, went 3-7 with a 3.24 ERA in 75 innings for Miami in 2021. He began the season as a starter before shifting to the bullpen in September.

Stallings, 31, is coming off the best season of his career. He earned his first Gold Glove while hitting .246 with career-highs in home runs (8) and RBIs (53) in 112 games.

Stallings joins a team that is trying to elbow its way into contention in the NL East. Miami signed outfielder Avisail Garcia to a five-year deal worth $56-million and agreed to terms to keep star pitcher Sandy Alcantara.

This article originally appeared on The Repository: Pitching prospect Kyle Nicolas traded to Pittsburgh Pirates